Rotary Device Voids Enhance Power Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas turbines and positive displacement devices face inefficiencies due to dynamic operation, limited operating speeds, and the need for complex machinery to interface with other devices, leading to reduced power density and increased energy losses.
Innovation Solution
A rotary device with a rotor featuring protrusions and voids, utilizing non-contact seals and scavenging rotors with intersecting curves to maintain close tolerances and prevent leakage, allowing for efficient power generation at a fixed vane positive displacement rotary device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If gas turbines operate at high speeds to increase power output, then power density improves, but the device acts as a positive displacement fixed vane compressor creating vacuum in the combustor, reducing combustion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic blade positioning where the turbine blades can change their angle or configuration based on operating conditions. This allows the turbine to maintain optimal performance across a wide speed range without creating harmful vacuum conditions in the combustor, resolving the contradiction between high power density and combustion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key operating parameters including pressure ratios, temperature profiles, and blade geometries to optimize turbine performance. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the turbine can operate efficiently at various speeds without creating vacuum conditions that would harm combustion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reduction gears are added to interface gas turbine output shaft with machinery, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the turbine output shaft and coupling system to directly interface with multiple types of machinery through standardized universal couplings. This eliminates the need for complex reduction gears while maintaining adaptability to drive compressors, generators, or other equipment directly.
3Use of energy by moving object
If gas turbines operate below design speeds, then efficiency improves, but operating speeds are often above practical speeds to directly drive machinery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic blade adjustment mechanisms that allow the turbine to maintain high thermal efficiency across a broad speed range. By dynamically optimizing blade angles and flow paths, the turbine can operate efficiently whether driving machinery directly at high speeds or operating below design speed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If starters are used to drive gas turbines to operating speed, then adaptability improves, but the turbine may create vacuum in the combustor at high speeds, limiting operating speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic blade positioning that prevents vacuum formation in the combustor during high-speed operation. This allows the turbine to be started and accelerated to high speeds without creating harmful suction conditions, removing the operating speed limitation while maintaining starting capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary device is disclosed that includes a rotor comprising a main body and plurality of protrusions extending radially from the main body. At least a pair of voids are provided adjacent to each other in the main body of the rotor between each adjacent pair of the plurality of protrusions, and each pair of voids is spaced from each adjacent pair of voids by a distance greater than that between each adjacent void in each pair of voids.